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Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) — Carcharhinidae

Blacknose shark

Carcharhinus acronotus
EN · Endangered

The Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) is a saltwater fish of the family Carcharhinidae that grows up to 200 cm.

Length
200 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
9–64 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Small groups
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic, on continental and insular shelves above sand, shell and coral bottoms.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The blacknose shark is a small requiem shark (family Carcharhinidae) of the western Atlantic. The species grows to about 2 m and has a slender, streamlined, grey body with a pale belly and a characteristic dark blotch on the snout tip. It lives on continental and insular shelves, mainly over sandy, shell and coral bottoms. Its diet consists of small fishes, including porgies and pufferfishes. The species is of modest commercial value but, owing to overfishing, is considered Endangered (EN). With its powerful teeth it can bite when handled; targeted attacks on people are, however, rare.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacknose shark?

The Blacknose shark has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly silver-grey and shows a plain pattern. Small requiem shark with a dark blotch on the tip of the snout; regarded as endangered (EN) due to fishing pressure.

Where does the Blacknose shark live?

The Blacknose shark lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic, on continental and insular shelves above sand, shell and coral bottoms.

How big does the Blacknose shark get?

The Blacknose shark grows to a maximum of about 200 cm.

Is the Blacknose shark dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacknose shark is harmless to humans. For a bite: clean and disinfect the wound thoroughly, control bleeding with pressure, and seek urgent medical help for a serious or deep wound.

Is the Blacknose shark edible?

Yes, the Blacknose shark is commonly eaten.

More photos

Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) — Carcharhinidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Squidpastry, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) — Carcharhinidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Kathy Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) — Carcharhinidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) gmskupien, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacknose shark (Carcharhinus acronotus) — Carcharhinidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Kathy Richardson, some rights reserved (CC BY))

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All data

Identification

English name
Blacknose shark verified
Scientific name
Carcharhinus acronotus
Family
Carcharhinidae
Other names
Blacknose shark verified

Appearance

Size class
Extra large verified
Max length (cm)
200 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Silver / grey
Pattern
Plain
Tail shape
Crescent (lunate)
Mouth position
Inferior (downward)
Lips
Thin
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
9 verified
Max depth (m)
64 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic, on continental and insular shelves above sand, shell and coral bottoms.
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, including seabreams and pufferfishes sourced
Social behaviour
Small groups
Territorial
No
Activity
Diurnal
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No
Max. age (years)
20 verified
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known.
Special features
Small requiem shark with a dark blotch on the tip of the snout; regarded as endangered (EN) due to fishing pressure. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures.
Regulations source

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
For a bite: clean and disinfect the wound thoroughly, control bleeding with pressure, and seek urgent medical help for a serious or deep wound. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Carcharhinus

More from the family Carcharhinidae

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